Hailey Hot Springs
Hailey Hot Springs flows at 131°F with a pH of 9.6, among the most alkaline thermal waters in Idaho. The spring emerges at 5,420 feet near the town of Hailey in the Wood River Valley, requiring only a short walk of about 480 feet from Democrat Gulch Road to reach the source.
The walk from the road drops toward a draw where thermal water surfaces through fractured rock. The surrounding landscape is high-desert sagebrush transitioning to scattered aspen and cottonwood along water courses. Magnesium is essentially absent at 0.05 mg/L, and calcium barely registers at 2.1 mg/L, making this some of the softest natural water in the state. The air is dry, with only 16.7 inches of annual precipitation, and clear skies dominate most of the year.
The short walk from Democrat Gulch Road is manageable for most visitors. The 131°F source is hot enough to scald, so approach the point of emergence with caution and test any pooled water before entering. Hailey provides full services including food, fuel, and supplies. Winter brings about 5.5 feet of snow, but the short access distance keeps the spring reachable in most conditions.
The spring chemistry reads like a textbook example of deep granitic circulation: total dissolved solids of just 268 mg/L, dominated by sodium at 69 mg/L and sulfate at 45 mg/L, with almost no alkaline earth metals. USGS measurements confirm a source temperature of 140°F at depth, and the 89-degree differential above ambient air indicates a deep reservoir feeding this surface expression along the Wood River fault system.
The water at Hailey Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.6) with 268 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview North Fork Campground is situated on the banks of the beautiful Big Wood River at an elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing and tubing on the river and exploring the Harriman Trail.Recreation This site is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, where outdoor activities abound. Fly-fishing for rainbow, brown and brook trout is popular on the Big Wood River, as is float tubing. The 20-mile Harriman Trail leads past the campground, offering excellent hiking and biking...
Hailey Hot Springs sits at 5,420 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Hailey Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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